GRAND PRIZE WINNER

FINALISTS

Meet R/V Neil Armstrong

The research vessel R/V Neil Armstrong was built by the U.S. Navy to advance knowledge of the ocean and our planet. The ship can put to sea for up to 40 days with 44 scientists and crew and will be equipped to conduct advanced oceanographic research almost anywhere in the world. The Neil Armstrong will be based in Woods Hole and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The ship will provide scientists with a platform to study the global ocean and its importance to life on Earth.

Specifications

Length: 238 feet

Beam: 50 feet

Draft: 15 feet

Speed: 11.5 knots cruising

Endurance: 40 days

Range: 11,500 nautical miles

Complement: 24 scientists, 20 crew

Lab space: 1,732 square feet

Deck space: 4,510 square feet

R/V Neil Armstrong Entering San Francisco

R/V Neil Armstrong Enters the Panama Canal

R/V Neil Armstrong Christening

The man behind the name

Neil Armstrong was a naval aviator, test pilot, and astronaut who pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. As the first human to walk on the moon, his perspective gave us a greater appreciation of our place in the cosmos and a unique look at the oceans that cover 70% of Earth’s surface.

Armstrong’s legacy of exploration will continue with the ship that bears his name and in the scientists and crew who push boundaries to explore and understand Earth’s ocean frontier.

Special thanks

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the ocean and its connection with the Earth system through a sustained commitment to excellence in science, engineering, and education, and to the application of this knowledge to problems facing society. Learn more »